Traffic cams on for keeps; citations in mail this week
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| • | Explanatory article |
| • | Q&A |
| • | Join our discussion on the state's traffic cam program |
| • | DOT Web site |
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
The first citations for suspected speeders caught on camera should start showing up in the mail by the end of this week, but it will be a little longer before the state begins using its new photo technology to catch red-light runners.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Hawai'i's use of photo technology to track down the owners of speeding vehicles survived its first full day of operation yesterday with few problems, said state Transportation Department spokesman Marilyn Kali.
The vehicle parked off Pali Highway was one of four unmarked vans with lasers, cameras, computers and operators deployed yesterday across O'ahu. Drivers whizzing by faster than 45 mph could expect citations in the mail soon.
"Everything went off just as before, except now we're issuing citations instead of warnings," Kali said.
Kali said four unmarked vans with lasers, cameras, computers and trained operators were spread across O'ahu yesterday on the lookout for speeders.
By law, the company operating the photo enforcement system under contract with the state has three days to mail citations to the registered owners of the vehicles suspected of speeding. That means the citations generated yesterday should be in the mail by Saturday, Kali said.
The contractor uses its three-day period to review photo evidence of possible speeders; compare license-plate numbers to a list of registered owners, and weed out cases with insufficient evidence, such as only a partial number from the license plate. After that, state officials will know how many citations were issued on the first day, Kali said.
The owners have 15 days to pay a fine, provide a written excuse or request a court appearance. The first trials of those challenging their citations or the legal underpinnings of the three-year pilot program probably won't be scheduled until at least mid-February, Kali said.
However, Kali said the state has not begun using the photo technology to catch red-light runners at key intersections around O'ahu as originally planned.
"We still haven't gotten the city approval to hook up the necessary equipment," Kali said.
The state contracts with the city's Department of Transportation Services to operate and maintain all traffic signals on O'ahu, including those on state highways.
"We have to get them to to hook up the cameras to the controllers and traffic signals," Kali said. "We're hoping that will be done very soon."
Cheryl Soon, director of city transportation services, said the city is still reviewing the technical plans for the free-standing cameras, expected to be mounted at 10 O'ahu intersections.
"There's no philosophical controversy," Soon said. "We're just trying to make sure all the wiring is compatible and can't cause any disruption with the traffic signal. We've sent the state some suggestions, and they are reviewing our notes."
The use of the cameras has drawn heated criticism from some drivers; others said they've already noticed a slowing of traffic in areas where the vans have been stationed. The van cameras have generated thousands of warnings since early December.
Joe Natividad, the administrative sergeant for Honolulu Police Department's solo-bike detail, said he didn't notice any speeders during his regular morning commute yesterday on the uncrowded H-1 and H-2 freeways, areas often known for its fast drivers.
Natividad wasn't sure if that was coincidence or the result of the cameras.
"I didn't see any significant changes, but it's the first day," he said.
Advertiser staff writer Mike Gordon contributed to this report.
